New Orleans Pelicans Draft Review

47. Russ Smith, G Louisville Sr. (6-1, 160)

The Pelicans traded last year's second round pick, Pierre Jackson, back to the team they traded for him from in the first place, Philadelphia, for a second round pick this year. Whew. With that pick they selected Russ Smith, who is very similar to Jackson. Both are quick, diminutive combo guards who can play some at point guard and are streaky shooters. Jackson is the better player in my eyes because he is a better distributor and has less history of terrible shot selection like Smith has. The difference is probably negligible though, what is important is that the Palicans need Smith to contribute because they have so much money locked up in a few players, they'll need cheap contributors. Have concerns a 160 pound guard can really be effective or efficient in the NBA, both Smith does have a lot to like.

Projected Lineup

PG: Jrue Holliday/Russ Smith

SG: Eric Gordon/Austin Rivers

SF: Tyreke Evans/Luke Babbitt

PF: Anthony Davis/Ryan Anderson

C: Omer Asik/Jeff Withey

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2013-2014 NCAA Basketball Pre-Season All-American Teams

All-American First Team

G: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, So.

Reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and Second Team All-American last season, Smart affects the game beyond the box score. His defense and leadership are lauded by coaches, while his ability to make winning plays as well as stuff the stat-sheet should endear him to voters once again.

G: Russ Smith, Louisville, Sr.

Russ Smith averaged 18.7 points a game for the Title-winning Cardinals and plays an exciting style of basketball on both ends of the court. He pressures the ball relentlessly on defense and is a one man fast-break going the other way. With second and third leading scorers Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng gone, Smith should produce even more this season.

F: Jabari Parker, Duke, Fr.

While choosing Parker over Andrew Wiggins may seem ridicules to some, Parker is every bit the player Wiggins is right now, and more polished. Five years from now, give me Wiggins, but this season, particularly early I think Parker out-produces Wiggins and will be on a better team. Also, Parker will play a lot of 4, which means high rebounding numbers.

F: Doug McDermott, Creighton, Sr.

As much of a lock for the All-American team as anyone, McDermott has been on the First Team the last two season and should go down as one of the best college scorers in history. He is looking for his third straight 20 point season, and he a higher profile Big East conference to show out in.

C: Adreian Payne, Michigan, Sr.

This may seem like a bold projection for Payne, but if he improves with the same learning curve he has to this point, and gets an increase in minutes, Payne should produce at a high level. Not only has he progressed skill-wise, he has also grown in the mental aspects of the game, allowing Payne to use his considerable physical gifts.

All-American Second Team

G: Aaron Craft, Ohio State, Sr.

Like Marcus Smart, Aaron Craft affects the game beyond what the box score indicates. His stats are pedestrian, barely averaging double digit points and doing so inefficiently, however his intense defense and leadership are invaluable. He will need to take a step forward offensively this season for Ohio State.

G: Gary Harris, Michigan State, So.

After a quietly impressive Freshman season, Gary Harris passed up on the NBA to return for another season at Michigan State. Fully healthy after shoulder surgery, Harris should become one of the premier perimeter scorers in the country, getting it done on both ends of the court and filling it up from all over the floor.

F: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas, Fr.

By now, most non-Jayhawk fans are sick of hearing about how great Andrew Wiggins is, and for good reason: he is very impressive. Wiggins in a surefire top-3 draft pick and future star, as explosive a player as you will see and exciting on both offense and defense. I worry about expectations early, but by Tournament time he should be rolling. 

F: Julius Randle, Kentucky, Fr.

A monster of a man and an elite athlete, Julius Randle is also very skilled. Like Wiggins he'll be a top NBA pick and should be the next in line of Kentucky one-and-done's. He could easily take off and be First Team, but Kentucky is loaded with options that will cannibalize each other's stats.

C: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville, So.

Montrezl Harrell's stats last season are unimpressive because he played a small role behind First Round pick Gorgui Dieng. This year Harrell, fresh off of playing with Team USA and winning the U19 championship, will step into Dieng's role and minutes and should blow up with points, rebounds and defense.

All-American Third Team

G: Tyler Haws, BYU, Jr.

One of the most unheralded great players in college basketball, Tyler Haws was awesome last season, averaging 21.7 points per game with a very impressive 47%/38%/88% slash line. BYU could ride Haws to a Tournament birth which should put him in consideration for the All-American team. 

G: Nick Johnson, Arizona, Jr.

Lost in all the hype surrounding Arizona's last two big recruiting classes is that Nick Johnson was very impressive last season and will likely be their leading scorer this season. Johnson is also a very good defender and a highlight dunk waiting to happen, which should get him national exposure.

F: Glenn Robinson III, Michigan, So.

Glenn Robinson III eschewed the NBA to come back as Michigan's returning leading scorer along with Nik Stauskas. Robinson III will be the alpha-male on this Michigan team and should put up big numbers as he becomes more consistent game to game.

F: C.J. Fair, Syracuse, Sr.

Quietly one of the best players in the country last season, C.J. Fair has always been an elite athlete, a good rebounder and defender but now he's become a very good shooter who can fill it up from the outside. Syracuse usually has a balanced scoring attack, but Fair will lead the way on what should be a  very good team.

C: Isaiah Austin, Baylor, So.

This last big man spot could go to a lot of players, a couple of the Kentucky guys, Mitch McGary or Aaron Gordon could all fit here, however I think Austin takes a step forward to build on what was an already impressive Freshman year. Austin should be the focal point of Baylor's offense and a good statistical contributor across the board.

Russ Smith Scouting Report

After winning a National Championship with Louisville and leading his team in scoring at 18.7 points per game, Russ Smith has declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his eligibility for the Cardinals. But how does this flashy, college scorer translate to the NBA?

Strengths: First off, Russ Smith is as quick as they come, most college defenders were unable to keep him in front of them in the half court. Smith is an advanced ballhandler and can use a variety of moves, though most of the time his quickness will get him by at the college level. In transition, Smith is a nightmare, blazing, one-man-fastbreak who will run the ball down opponents backs in the open floor. Smith is a good leaper who can get off the ground quickly and hang in the air, able to contort his body well. There's no denying that Smith can get his own shot and get open looks when he wants. He is a streaky shooter who can get hot from deep and hit several in a row. Smith also has a knack for picking up steals (2.1 a game) and is a willing defender who will pressure the ball. He can draw fouls a high rate as well. Smith is extremely well liked by his teammates and a leader on his team.

Weaknesses: To begin with Smith is severely undersized for his position of 2 guard, listed 6-1, he's more
likely 6-0 or 5-11 as well as being around 160-170 range in weight, that's Kemba Walker range for size (though Walker is a little taller), and Walker has had trouble finishing at the NBA level, as will Smith at that size, especially since he already struggles at the college level. Walker went 9th overall in 2011, but he's a point guard, Smith is far from that. He thinks shoot first, second, and third and hasn't shown much ability create for teammates. I don't think he's a selfish player, so much as scoring is what he is good at, therefore that's what he does. Smith's shot selection at times is also pretty poor, he can get hot from 3, but overall shot  it at just 33% from deep, yet he still took 189 threes over the course of the season. Overall, the shot selection problem led to an efficiency problem, as Smith only shot it at 41% on the year, and that's not going to go up in the NBA. The other issue regarding Smith's size is his defense, he will be physically overmatched defensively against NBA point guards, let alone NBA two guards, his natural position. Can be turnover prone as well, will force things.

Overall: Smith is a very undersized, somewhat one-dimensional scorer who needs to either become a much, much better shooter or improve his point guard skills and shot selection because undersized, low-effieciency 2 guards don't last. He'll need to make himself into a Jason Terry-type of player if he wants to make it in this league. I think Smith gets drafted in the second round and makes it on an NBA roster, but where he goes from there will be to him.